N.J. governor warns ports against accepting Russian diesel

Gov. Mikie Sherrill warned New Jersey port and terminal operators against accepting Russian diesel shipments authorized by the Trump administration, arguing that such imports would violate federal law and noting at least one tanker carrying the fuel may be headed for the state. In a letter to the operators dated Nov. 2, Sherrill said that a Treasury Department license issued last month allowing the sale, delivery and importation of Russian diesel conflicts with a 2022 law banning imports of Russian oil products following the invasion of Ukraine. She urged operators to turn away tankers carrying the fuel and said New Jersey would use its legal and regulatory authority to prevent the shipments from entering through the state. The warning follows an Oct. 9 license issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizing certain transactions involving Russian diesel. Sherrill argued the administration lacks authority to override the congressional ban without a presidential certification that Russia has agreed to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. She also said the license should be subject to congressional review before taking effect. New-Jersey-Russia-oil “Every port and terminal operator, intermediary, and buyer is on notice: do not help bring illegal Russian diesel into New Jersey,” Sherrill said. Her letter said businesses participating in an unlawful importation could face penalties equal to the value of the goods, potentially amounting to millions of dollars. Sherrill, a Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, accused President Donald Trump of helping finance Russia’s war in Ukraine by reopening the U.S. market to its fuel.

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